Methods and systems for automatic rotation direction determination of electronically commutated motor

ABSTRACT

A method for determining a direction of rotation for an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The motor is configured to rotate a blower and the method comprises rotating the blower using the ECM and determining if the resulting blower rotation is indicative of the desired direction of rotation for the blower.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to electronically commutated motors (ECMs), and more particularly, to methods and systems for automatic determination of a rotation direction within electronically commutated motors.

Electronically commutated motors (ECMs) are used in a wide variety of applications because they are more efficient than known standard induction motors. ECMs include the efficiency and speed control advantages of a DC motor and minimize the disadvantages of DC motors, e.g., carbon brush wear, short life span, and noise. In Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, as well as, known commercial air distributions systems, ECMs automatically adjust blower speed to meet a wide range of airflow requirements. Known ECMs use microprocessor technology to control fan speed, torque, air flow, and energy consumption.

As described above, ECM motors are generally utilized in air handling (blowers, fans) applications within HVAC systems. Blower wheels and housings are used in right and left hand configurations, i.e. clockwise and counter clockwise rotation. To minimize the motor models required by an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) it is desirable to utilize a single motor to serve both blower rotation directions. Such a motor would also reduce errors caused by using several motor models when changing from a standard induction motor to an ECM. However, such a motor would also have a capability to detect the proper rotation direction for the blower in which it has been installed.

It is believed that some systems observe a coast-down of the blower to determine some data associated with a load for that blower which is then used to determine settings to be used in producing constant airflow. In other motor drives, the direction of rotation is changed either through communication to a motor drive computer or by changing the setting of a switch or placement of a jumper wire.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a method for determining a direction of rotation for an electronically commutated motor (ECM), where the motor is configured to rotate a blower is provided. The method comprises rotating the blower using the ECM, measuring a speed of the blower for a predefined level of torque, and determining if the measured speed and applied torque are indicative of the desired direction of rotation for the blower.

In another aspect, a method for determining a direction of rotation for an electronically commutated motor (ECM), where the motor is configured to rotate a blower is provided. The method comprises rotating the blower using the ECM, applying an amount of torque necessary to rotate the blower at a predefined speed, and determining if the predefined speed and applied torque are indicative of the desired direction of rotation for the blower.

In yet another aspect, an air moving control system is provided that comprises a blower, an electronically commutated motor (ECM), and a controller. The ECM is configured to rotate the blower and the controller is configured to control rotation of the motor. The controller is further configured to determine if a direction of rotation of the ECM is the same as the desired direction of rotation of the blower.

In still another aspect, a control system configured to control operation of an electronically commutated motor (ECM) attached to a blower is provided. The control system comprises a motor controller configured to control a direction of rotation of the ECM and further configured to cause the ECM to rotate at one of a selected level of torque and a predefined speed. The control system further comprises a system controller configured to receive data relating to the amount of torque applied to the motor and a speed of rotation of at least one of the motor and the blower. The system controller is further configured to determine if a direction of rotation of the ECM is the same as the desired direction of rotation for the blower and instruct the motor controller to change the direction of rotation of the motor if the determination is negative.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an air moving control system including an electronically commutated motor (ECM) and a blower.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustration of a method for determining if the rotation of the ECM and blower at a predefined speed is in the desired direction of rotation.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustration of a method for determining if the rotation of the ECM and blower at a selected level of torque is in the desired direction of rotation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an air moving control system 10 used to control an electronically commutated motor (ECM) 12. System 10 is an air moving control system, such as a residential heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) control system, a light industrial HVAC control system, or a clean room filtering control system. System 10 includes an interface circuit 14 electrically coupled to a system controller 16, for example a HVAC system controller, and a main unit 18, for example a HVAC unit. Main unit 18 includes components 20 and ECM 12. In one embodiment, ECM 12 is a motor configured to rotate a blower. Motor 12 includes a motor controller 22 including a microprocessor (not shown) and a memory (not shown) containing an ECM program. In one embodiment, system controller 16 is connected to a thermostat 24. Thermostat 24 includes a plurality of settings, or modes, such as low heat, high heat, cooling, dehumidify, and continuous fan. Additionally, thermostat 24 measures a temperature in a predetermined space or location and transmits an electrical signal representing the measured temperature to controller 16.

Controller 16 controls main unit 18 via interface circuit 14. Interface circuit 14 receives control signals in the form of input voltage signals from system controller 16 and translates the signals to signals suitable for controlling by ECM 12. Typically, circuits within system 10 operate at a different voltage level than does ECM 12. Therefore interface 14 is utilized for communications between controller 16 and ECM 12. Such interfaces typically control ECMs using pulse width modulation (PWM) by continuously adjusting motor speed.

The translated signals are transmitted to motor controller 22 of ECM 12, and a torque of ECM 12 is varied in accordance with the adjusted voltage outputs. ECM 12 is mechanically connected to a blower 28. In one embodiment, blower 28 includes a detection module 30 which provides signals, for example signals indicative of a speed of rotation of blower 28, to system controller 16. In one embodiment, blower 28 is a forward curved centrifugal blower.

System 10 is configured to automatically determine a proper direction of rotation for ECM 12. As used herein, the proper direction of rotation for a blower is the direction of rotation that causes the desired airflow through, for example, the HVAC system. Once the correct direction of rotation is determined, it is stored within the memory of motor controller 22 such that ECM will rotate in the proper (desired) direction upon subsequent applications of power. In certain embodiments, for example, a forward curved centrifugal blower, a curvature of the blades of blower 28 is such that blower 28 produces useful work in one direction only. As described above, ECM 12 is attached to blower 28. For a blower (e.g., blower 12), the load curve for a forward, or proper, direction of rotation is markedly different, than the load curve for reverse rotation. Specifically, a much higher torque, for a given rotation speed, must be applied to blower 28 for rotation in the proper direction. Once such a torque determination is made, the direction of rotation which resulted in the higher torque is stored within motor controller 22.

System 10 is configured to determine the proper direction of rotation for ECM 12. In one embodiment, system controller 16 and motor controller 22 are configured to cause ECM 12 to rotate at a set level of torque. Detection module 30 senses rotation, and a speed of rotation, of blower 28. Once ECM 12 is operating at the set level of torque, system controller 16 senses the speed of rotation of blower 28, and determines if the measured speed is a speed consistent for the applied torque level. If so, then ECM 12 (and blower 28) are rotating in the proper direction and the direction of rotation is stored within motor controller 22. If the resultant speed is too great, then it is determined that ECM 12 (and blower 28) are rotating in a direction opposite the desired direction, and the opposite direction of rotation is stored within motor controller 22 and is accessed during subsequent applications of power to ECM 12.

In an alternative embodiment, ECM 12 (and blower 28) are powered up to rotate at a selected speed. The speed can be measured utilizing either detection module 30 or motor controller 22. If the torque required to reach such a rotation speed is less than expected, ECM 12 (and blower 28) are not rotating in the desired direction and motor controller 22 memory is updated accordingly to ensure that ECM 12 is rotated in the correct direction when power is subsequently applied.

In another embodiment, controller 22 is configured to rotate ECM 12 (and blower 28) a small amount in each direction, such as one or two revolutions. Using detection module 30, the deceleration rates of blower 28 are observed when current is removed from ECM 12. The deceleration rates taken when passing through a given speed for each direction of rotation are compared, and the direction of rotation having the highest deceleration rate becomes the desired direction of rotation and is stored as such within the memory of motor controller 22. Alternatively, either or both of speeds and applied torque in each direction can be compared to determine the desired direction of rotation. Once the comparison is made and determination of the desired direction of rotation is completed, data indicative of the desired direction of rotation is stored within the memory of motor controller 22.

For any of the above described embodiments, the direction of rotation testing will be performed only on an initial power up of ECM 12, since the desired direction of rotation is stored in memory (e.g., memory within system controller 16 or within the memory associated with motor controller 22) for all following start ups of ECM 12. Since ECM 12 is intended to be continuously powered, the reoccurrence of the above described blower direction testing will be very infrequent.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart 50 illustrating a method for determining if the rotation of the ECM (such as ECM 12 shown in FIG. 1) and the blower (such as blower 28 shown in FIG. 1) at a predefined speed is in the desired direction of rotation. The blower is rotated 52 with the ECM at a predefined speed. The torque required to maintain the predefined speed is then measured 54. It is then determined 56, for example within system controller 16 (shown in FIG. 1), whether the torque needed to maintain the predefined speed is indicative of the desired direction of rotation. As described above, if the torque needed to maintain the desired speed is below an expected value, based on known characteristics of the blower, then the motor is rotating in a direction opposite the desired direction of rotation Once determination 56 of desired motor direction of rotation is complete, the data indicative of the desired direction of rotation for the motor is stored 58 within the motor controller.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart 70 illustrating a method for determining if the rotation of the ECM (such as ECM 12 shown in FIG. 1) and blower (such as blower 28 shown in FIG. 1) at a selected level of torque is in the desired direction of rotation. The blower is rotated 72 with the ECM at a selected level of torque. The speed of the blower (or motor) is measured 74. It is then determined 76, for example within system controller 16 (shown in FIG. 1), whether the speed resulting from the selected level of torque is indicative of the desired direction of rotation. As described above, if the speed resulting from a selected level of torque is above an expected value, based on known characteristics of the blower, then the motor is rotating in a direction opposite the desired direction of rotation. Once determination 76 of desired motor direction of rotation is complete, the data indicative of the desired direction of rotation for the motor is stored 78 within the motor controller.

As described above, electronically commutated motors are typically used in air handling applications, for example, providing rotation to blowers and fans in HVAC systems. Known blower wheels and housings are found in both right hand and left hand configurations (clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation) Using the methods and system above described, a user is able to minimize the number of different motor models needed to serve both blower rotation directions as the motor control system is able to detect the proper rotation direction that for the blower it is to drive. Therefore, the automatic detection of rotation direction and storage within the motor controller of the desired direction of rotation for subsequent power ups features provide motor model inventory reduction. Also, the feature results in a reduction or elimination of instances where the wrong direction of rotation motor is installed with a blower, thereby reducing production line failures at an OEM.

While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims. 

1. A control system configured to control operation of an electronically commutated motor (ECM) attached to a blower, said control system comprising: a motor controller configured to control a direction of rotation of the ECM and further configured to cause the ECM to rotate at one of a selected level of torque and a predefined speed; and a system controller configured to receive data relating to the amount of torque applied to the ECM and a speed of rotation of the ECM and the blower, said system controller further configured to determine if a direction of rotation of the ECM is the same as the desired direction of rotation for the blower by determining if the measured speed of rotation of the blower is consistent with the amount of torque applied to the ECM and configure said motor controller to change the direction of rotation of the ECM if the determination is negative.
 2. A control system according to claim 1 further comprising a sensor, said sensor configured to provide data relating to a speed of rotation to said system controller for at least one of the ECM and the blower.
 3. A control system according to claim 1 wherein said system controller is configured to change a direction of rotation of the ECM if the torque applied to the ECM for a predefined speed is less than an expected value.
 4. A control system according to claim 1 wherein said system controller is configured to change a direction of rotation of the ECM if a speed of the ECM for a selected level of torque is greater than an expected value.
 5. A control system according to claim 1 wherein said system controller is configured to store data associated with the desired direction of rotation.
 6. A control system according to claim 2 wherein the speed of rotation comprises a deceleration rate of the blower.
 7. A control system according to claim 2 wherein said motor controller is configured to: rotate the blower using the ECM for a first length of time in a first direction; remove current from the ECM while said sensor provides a first set of data to said system controller that relates to a first deceleration rate of the blower; rotate the blower using the ECM for a substantially similar length of time to the first length of time in a second direction, opposite to the first direction; and remove current from the ECM while said sensor provides a second set of data to said system controller that relates to a second deceleration rate of the blower.
 8. A control system according to claim 7 wherein said system controller is configured to determine the desired direction of rotation by comparing the first deceleration rate of the blower to the second deceleration rate of the blower.
 9. A control system according to claim 8 wherein said system controller is configured to select the first direction as the desired direction of rotation when the first deceleration rate is higher than the second deceleration rate.
 10. A control system according to claim 8 wherein said system controller is configured to select the second direction as the desired direction of rotation when the second deceleration rate is higher than the first deceleration rate. 